Xerographic reproduction machine

ABSTRACT

A reproduction machine having a photoreceptor imaging medium in belt configuration which is exposed by a flash illumination system in timed relation to the feeding of sheets of copy paper prior to image transfer. The belt is arranged to be maintained flat during exposure and development with image transfer being effected along a curved presentation of the belt between the two flat sections of the belt.

United States Patent Hewes et al.

1541 XEROGRAPHIC REPRODUCTION MACHINE [72] Inventors: Ellsworth D.Hewes, Rochester; Norbett H.

Kaupp, Newark, both of NY.

[73] As'signee: Xerox Corporation, Rochester, N.Y. 22 Filed: M'ay 24,1968 [2i] Appl.No.: 731,934

52 us. c1 51 Int. Cl.

[58] Field olSearch..- ..355/3, 5, ll, 16,67

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,551,582 5/1951 Carlson..355/10- 1151 3,661,452 1 51 May 9,1972

3,146,688 9/1964 Clark ..355/16 3,168,857 2/1965 Hutto 3,339,469 9/l967McFarlane.

3,427,658 2/1969 Roberts ..355/l6 Primary Examiner-John M. HoranAttorney-Norman E. Schrader, James J. Ralabate and Bernard A. Chioma 1 1ABSTltACT A reproduction machine having a photoreceptor imaging mediumin belt configurationiwhich is exposed by a flash illumination system intimed relation to the feeding of sheets of copy paper prior to imagetransfer. The belt is arranged to be maintained flat during exposure anddevelopment with image transfer being effected along a curvedpresentation of the belt between the two flat sections of the belt.

5 Claims, 70 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 9 I972 3,661,452

sum 01 OF 43 INVENTORS ELLSWORTH D. HEWES NORBETT H. KAUPP PATENTEDMAY9:912 3,661,452

sum 02 [1F 43 LMP-5" INVENTORS ELLSWORTH Dl HEWES NORBETT H. KAUPP ATTORNEYS PATENTEDMAY 9:922 3,661,452

sum 030F113 INVENTORS ELLSWORTH o. HEWES BY NORBETT H. KAUPP IMIIIIII mM A rromvs rs PATENTEDMAY 9 I972 3,661,452

sum us of 43 lNVL'NTORS ELLSWORTH D. HEWES NORBETT H. KAUPP BY y... .A/M

ATTORNEYS PATENTEDHAY 94572 3,661,452

SHEET 05 0F 43 INVENTORS ELLSWORTH D. HEWES NORBETT H. KAUPP PATENTED AY91912 I 3,661,452

3pm IU8UF 43 FIG. I I

' INVENTORS ELLSWORTH D. HEWES NORBETT H. KAUPP ATTORNEYS Pmmmm 919123.661.452

SHEET [19 [IF 43 IN VENTORS ELLSWORTH D. HEWES FIG. 13 B NORBETT H.KAUPP PATENTEDMAY 91972 3,661,452

sum 11 [1F 43 NORBETT H. KAUPP FIG. 15 BY 44 :5

yw w

ATTOR/VEKS PATENTEDMAY 9l972 3.561.452

' sum 12 0F 43 MM ,,.|HIIHIHIIHHIIH'I w INVENTORS ELLSWORTH D. HEWESNORBETT H. KAUPP F1616 BY 56mg ATTORNEYS PATENTEDMAY 9 I972 SHEET 13 [1F43 INVENTORS ELLSWORTH D. HEWES B NORBETT H. KAUPP ynqq ATTORNEYSPATENTEDMAY 9:912 3.661.452

sum 18 or 43 FIG. 30

- INVENTORS EL LSWORTH D. HEWES NORBETT H. KAUPP FIG. 29 I BY 54 444WATTORNEYS PATENTEDMAY 91912 3,561,452

sum 19 0F 43 TIMER M NESA POWER SUPPLY L agp AND F979 ECTOR POWER SUPPLYQ L L l g r L gusv eoy 307 QD Ea e A Hm \1 FIG. 31

DEGEES o- A 90 I80 270 ,0 SHUTDOWN 5+ SAMPLE} c- CLEAN secouos 0 L5 3.04.5

- INVENTORS' FIG. 3 4 ELLSWORTH D.HEWES NORBETT H. KAUPP ATTORNEYS

1. In an electrostatic machine for reproducing copies of originals ontosheets of copy paper having a photoconductive plate in the form of aflexible belt, means for producing a uniform charge thereon, means forsupporting and moving the belt at a predetermined rate and in a pathhaving at least one section wherein the belt travels in a flat conditionto define the exposure station therefor, an illumination device forilluminating an original in full frame when the device is in itsoperative condition and projecting the illuminated full frame area ontothe belt at the exposure station to produce an electrostatic latentimage of an original thereon, energizing means for activating theillumination device to its operative condition for a short period oftime to effect flash exposure of the original in full frame while thebelt moves, the time of each flash exposure being sufficiently short soas not to cause a blurred latent image, means for developing the latentimage with toner particles, a paper supply, paper feed means for feedingindividually sheets of paper from the paper supply and into contact withthe belt at the transfer station therefor preparatory to the transfer ofdeveloped images thereon, the improvement including control meansoperatively connected to the energizing means and the paper feed meansfor actuating the latter in a predetermined timed relationship toactivation of said illumination device by the energizing means foreffecting the feed of sheets of paper in timed relation tO theproduction of corresponding latent images on the belt.
 2. The machine ofclaim 1 including a registration mechanism interposed between the papersupply and the transfer station and including a member movable into thepaper feed path to momentarily arrest and register the leading edge of asheet of paper prior to the movement thereof to the transfer station,said control means being associated with the registration mechanism foractuating the member to release a sheet for movement in timed relationto activation of said illumination device.
 3. In an electrostaticmachine for reproducing copies of originals onto copy paper having aphotoconductive plate in the form of an endless flexible belt, means forproducing a charge thereon, means for supporting and moving the belt ata predetermined rate and in a continuous path having at least onesection wherein the belt travels in a flat condition and which definesthe exposure station for the machine, an illumination device forilluminating an original in full frame when the device is in itsoperative condition and projecting the illuminated full frame area ontothe belt at the exposure station to produce an electrostatic latentimage of an original thereon, means for developing the latent image withtoner particles, an image transfer station, and paper feed means formoving individual sheets of paper into contact with the belt at thetransfer station therefor in order to accomplish the transfer ofdeveloped images to sheets of paper, the improvement includingenergizing means for activating the illumination device to its operativecondition for a short period of time to effect flash exposure of theoriginal in full frame while the belt is in continuous movement, thetime of the flash exposure being sufficiently short so as not to cause ablurred latent image, control means operatively connected to saidenergizing means and said paper feed means for effecting equally timedsuccessive activations of the illumination device for producing multipleexposures of an original and for activating the paper feed means in thesame timed relationship to each activation of the illumination device.4. In an electrostatic machine for reproducing copies of originals ontocopy paper having a photoconductive plate in the form of an endlessflexible belt, means for producing a charge thereon, means forsupporting and moving the belt at a predetermined rate and in acontinuous path, an exposure station for the machine, an illuminationdevice for illuminating an original in full frame when the device is inits operative condition and projecting the illuminated full frame areaonto the belt at the exposure station to produce an electrostatic latentimage of each original thereon, means for developing the latent imagewith toner particles, an image transfer station, a paper supply, andpaper transport means for moving individual sheets of paper from thepaper supply into contact with the belt at the transfer station thereforin order to accomplish the transfer of developed images thereon, andtoner fixing means arranged for receiving the sheets after the transferof developed images, the improvement wherein the transport means, thetransfer station and the toner fixing means are arranged in a positionso that paper movement occurs in substantially the same plane therebyeffecting the movement of each sheet in substantially a straight pathfrom the paper supply to the fixing means.
 5. In an electrostaticmachine for reproducing copies of originals onto copy paper having aphotoconductive plate in the form of an endless flexible belt, means forproducing a charge thereon, means for supporting and moving the belt ata predetermined rate and in a continuous path having at least onesection wherein the belt travels in a flat condition and which definesthe exposure station for the machine, an illumination device forilluminating an original in full frame when the device is in itsoperative condition and projecting the illUminated full frame area ontothe belt at the exposure station to produce an electrostatic latentimage of an original thereon, means for developing the latent image withtoner particles, an image transfer station, and paper feed means formoving individual sheets of paper into contact with the belt at thetransfer station therefor in order to accomplish the transfer ofdeveloped images to sheets of paper, the improvement includingenergizing means for activating the illumination device to its operativecondition for a short period of time to effect flash exposure of theoriginal in full frame while the belt is in continuous movement, thetime of the flash exposure being sufficiently short so as not to cause ablurred latent image, control means operatively connected to saidenergizing means for effecting successive activations of theillumination device for producing multiple exposures of an original,said control means being operatively connected to the paper feed meansfor activating the paper feed means in timed relationship to activationof the illumination device while said activation of the illuminationdevice is being effected.